I think most of us have been in the position where a co-worker was not the friendliest...or shall we say downright rude.

Better watch out if this happens because it is contagious.

When you experience a co-worker being rude to you, you are more likely to rude to others in return according to researchers from the University of Arkansas.

They say rude behavior in the office is different from bullying. Bullying is openly hostile behavior that can include harassment and threats while rude or uncivil behavior includes put-downs, sarcasm and condescension and companies need to watch out for it.

"Estimates are that workplace incivility has doubled over the past two decades and on average costs companies about $14,000 per employee annually because of loss of production and work time," explains lead study author Chris Rosen, a professor of management at the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

The study found that experiencing rude behavior increased mental fatigue, which reduced employees' self-control and act in a similar rude manner.

Have you ever been the target of rude behavior at work?

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